Welcome to our blog for day 2 of this year’s pilgrimage. Our theme this year is ’Merciful, like the Father’ and following our welcome meeting this morning for our hotel pilgrims, a short liturgy took place in each hotel before we processed as a whole pilgrimage through the Door of Mercy in the Domain here in Lourdes. This was a key event in our programme for this year and is also one of the four required activities that pilgrims are required to undertake in order to fulfil their ‘Jubilee Passport’ which each pilgrim will have verified by the sanctuaries to receive their indulgence for the Year of Mercy.
The blessing of hands during our Opening Mass
Following our procession through the Holy Door pilgrims made their way to the Opening Mass with the blessing of hands in the Chapel of St.Bernadette cote Grotte. We are honoured this year to welcome the Right Reverend Terence Brain, Bishop Emeritus of Salford back to Lourdes with us on our pilgrimage. Bishop Brain will be celebrating our Masses in the absence of Bishop Arnold at World Youth Day and provided us with a beautiful homily which was topical, humorous and rooted in scripture. As always our wonderful music ministry provided us with beautiful music and singing to accompany our service which moved many of our pilgrims in it’s beauty.
After a relaxed afternoon and evening we once again gathered as a pilgrimage family to take part in one of the highlights of our week, the Marian Torchlight Procession. This is always a beautiful event and it is fantastic to see the look of wonder that appears on the faces of pilgrims who are experiencing the procession for the first time as they look upon the thousands candles processing down the esplanade to honour Our Lady. The procession was made extra special for us this evening as we welcomed our friends from HCPT Manchester region who are midway through their own pilgrimage at Hosanna House on the outskirts of Lourdes.
A nice moment with Bishop Brain and Rev. Mark Paver
And so as we unwind at the end of a blessed day here in Lourdes, we give thanks to God and to Our Lady for bringing us here to this special place so that we may experience the wonder, beauty, mystery and joy of Lourdes.
We will leave you with a lovely comment by a member of the congregation at our opening Mass this afternoon who said “I challenge anyone to name a more welcoming community than Salford Lourdes! It’s a great privilege to celebrate Mass together!” We won’t disagree with that and are very thankful for this lovely feedback!
Two of our volunteers acting as torchbearers during the Torchlight Procession
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.
Saint Bernadette, pray for us.
Stay with us, Lord, on our journey.
